…Nto urges APC national leadership to uphold his mandate, says he beat Kalu in 52 of Abia North 57 wards.
The outcome of the APC senatorial primary election for Abia North zone has been clouded in uncertainty as the two contenders for the ticket, Dr Philips Nto and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu are claiming victory.
Nto said that he convincingly defeated Kalu in the primary poll held on Monday while Kalu’s supporters are singing that he won the primary with a “wide margin”.
The Senatorial Primary Election Committee for Abia North did not help matters as the members refused to announce the result immediately after collation.
Though the result has not been officially released, Nto said with confidence that reports from the 57 wards in the zone showed that he won in 52 while Kalu won in the remaining five wards.
He said the results have been authenticated by video evidence, while his party agents have also submitted signed copies of the result sheets.
He raised the alarm that instead of the primary election committee to announce the result at the Abia APC party secretariat in Umuahia, they have been forced to take it to Abuja.
Addressing a press conference in Umuahia where he had raced to for the release of the results, Nto expressed fears that his opponent, Senator Kalu, might cause the result to be compromised.
Nto therefore appealed to the national leadership of APC to protect and uphold his 2027 senatorial ticket as the rightful winner of the primary election for Abia North Senatorial zone.
“Our party people voted overwhelmingly for me. I won 52 of the 57 wards in the zone because the people wanted change. My opponent had alienated himself from the party in the zone and Abia,” he said.
The senatorial aspirant explained that Kalu’s treatment of party members was the reason “they paid him back in his own coins” by not supporting him at the primary election.
“I therefore appeal to our national chairman and the NWC to uphold my mandate,” he stated.
Nto thanked his campaign organisation, the People First Mandate, and youths across Abia North for their massive mobilisation that secured the overwhelming victory.
He also commended the APC members for refusing to be compromised and for standing for justice and equity.
The university don assured his party that he has the capacity to win the senatorial election for APC because of his pledge to institute a new order in Abia North zone.
“My message of creating a new opportunity for our youths through law making and bridging the gap between the rich and the poor resonates with our people who want a positive change in representation,” Nto said.
Meanwhile, Senator Kalu has not made any official statement concerning the disputed primary poll even though his supporters continue to credit him with victory.
